Smokers' behavioural responses before and after the 2012 tobacco excise increase

The New Zealand tobacco tax has been increased annually since 2010, and this paper determines the short‐term impacts of the 2012 tax increase. We analysed two separate sets of telephone surveys of current smokers and recent quitters conducted over a six‐month period (three months before and three months after the tax increase), and compared the level of behaviour change before and after the tax increase. We found that the 14.5% increase in tobacco excise had an impact on smokers. From both surveys, we saw an increase in smoking‐related behavioural change (quit/tried to quit/cut down). However, the rate of change was different by ethnicity and past three‐month quit attempt status. Specifically, non‐Māori and those who have made a recent quit attempt had increased likelihood of reporting a smoking‐related change. Despite being a major priority target group in tobacco control, Māori smokers were not benefited by the 2012 increase in tax excise.